By Petronella Sibeene WINDHOEK Embezzlement of funds remains the most frequent type of corruption in Namibia, research findings have shown. Based on a report titled Actual Instances of Corruption 2004-2006 as Reported in the Namibian Print Media, theft of resources by persons entrusted with authority and control over such resources remain prevalent in private businesses, especially during the period under review. Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) Project Coordinator, Justine Hunter, revealed yesterday that the print media has of late reported several corruption cases. She attributed this to the influence President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s stance might have on the nation and the need to root out corruption from Namibia. Hunter says that between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2006, the print media in the country covered a total of 184 cases of corrupt activities and published 1ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 364 articles on these cases. Compared to other findings from 1990 to 2004, a significant increase in cases and a dramatic increase in media reports were identified in 2004-6. Some dimensions of corruption, such as favoritism and nepotism, are extremely difficult to verify. Although they are widespread, they often remain unproved. The research also found that fraud and theft are the most frequent charges brought against offenders, and yet the verdict remains unknown for the majority of these cases. Parastatals/public agencies were the prime locations for corruption. “Between 2004 and 2006 the prevalence of corruption in private businesses was high, while it had been less significant in previous years”, the report shows. Although the report fails to provide figures, the breakdown of agencies involved in corrupt activities between 2004 and 2006 further suggests that local authorities and police/prisons have also been key locations for corrupt activities. Parastatals where cases of corruption were reported during the 2004-6 period are: DBC/Amcom/NDC (34%); National Broadcasting Corporation (6%); the Social Security Commission (4%); Nampost (4%); Roads Authority (4%); Government Institutions Pension Fund (4%); the University of Namibia (10%); Telecom (4%); and Air Namibia (4%). At government level, the following ministries all reported cases of corruption: Works, Transport and Communication (22%); Ministry of Education (5%); Finance (5%); Home Affairs and Immigration (5%); Defence (14%); Environment and Tourism (5%); Health and Social Services (5%); and Lands and Resettlement (5%); all reported cases of corruption. The involvement of foreign companies in corrupt activities in Namibia shows a trend towards cross-boarder offences in the Southern African region.